Amid global restrictions on travel slowly lifting, it has been confirmed that there will be no quarantine in the UK for travellers coming from France at this stage, as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson lays out “the first sketch of a road map for reopening society in the UK”.
Mr Johnson detailed the country’s plans to continue lockdown – with some changes – and a plan for the weeks ahead.
It was confirmed that French President Emmanuel Macron had spoken with Mr Johnson, and the two agreed that there would be no quarantine imposed on travellers arriving into the UK from France at this stage, and that any future measures would be agreed “reciprocally”.
British tourists will also be able to enjoy holidays in France this summer after they were exempted from tough quarantine rules in a loophole that seemingly throws Europe and the rest of the world open.
But the exception of France follows loopholes already included in the plan for the Republic of Ireland, travellers from which can enter the UK without restrictions despite UK travellers to Ireland required to self-isolate for 14 days at a fixed address immediately after arriving.
Excluding France and Ireland – who are both EU members – opens up travel to the rest of Europe for Britons, who would be able to travel onwards to the rest of the world from either. They would also be able to return by the same route.
France had threatened at the weekend to enforce ‘tit-for-tat’ action against British travellers, meaning anyone from the UK would have been placed in quarantine on arrival in France.
But Boris Johnson yesterday phoned French President Emmanuel Macron and agreed a mutual exemption from the measures for holidaymakers from both countries.
The two leaders said in a joint statement: ‘The Prime Minister and the President agreed to work together in taking forward appropriate border measures.
‘No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage. Any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner.
UK airlines last night threatened to ground their fleets in response to the Government’s quarantine scheme, which they said would effectively kill off any hopes of a resumption of international travel.
The Airport Operators Association, representing Britain’s airports, said it would have a ‘devastating impact’ on the industry.
